Hydropower !
Rowan University
Freshman Clinic
Fall 2003
Objectives of Module
• Learn about energy conversion
• Learn about unit conversions
• Understand the differences between force, work,
and power
• Assemble a turbine, measure dimensions
• Document the tests neatly in your lab books
• Test the turbine: measure time to lift weights
• Have fun!
Examples of Hydropower
Itaipu Dam, Peru:
Largest hydro plant in world –
Hydroelectric Turbine
12,600 MW !
Parts of a Dam
Hydroelectric Generators
Kaplan Turbine Computer simulation of
flow through turbine
Energy Conversion
• Water stored at a high elevation has
Potential Energy
• Water released, gains Kinetic Energy
• Water motion transferred to turbine;
converted to Mechanical Energy
• Turbine motion converted to Electrical
Energy
Experimental
Upper
Reservoir
Setup
Overflow line
Pulley
Mass
Penstock
Refill line
Turbine Ball valve
Pump Lower Reservoir
Impulse Turbine
Force, Work, and Power
• Force: F = m*a
– F = force, Newtons (kg-m/s2)
– m = mass (kg)
– a = acceleration (m/s2)
• Weight – a special force: w = m*g
– w = weight (N)
– g = gravitational acceleration, 9.81 m/s2
Force, Work, and Power
• Work = force * distance = F*D
– W = work, Newton-meters (N-m = kg*m2/s2)
– F = force (Newtons)
– D = distance (meters)
• Power = Work per time = W/t
– P = power, Watts (W, kg*m2/s3)
– W = work (N-m)
– t = time (seconds)
Turbine Parts
What We’ll Do
• Break into groups
• Assign responsibilities within groups
• Start recording in lab book; use format
suggested in handout
• Build turbine, measure dimensions
• Sketch turbine in lab book
• Test it !
Things You’ll Measure
• Mass of weight to be lifted
• Distance to raise mass
• Time to lift mass
• Calculate:
– Force (weight)
– Work
– Power
Turbine Test Results
Time to Raise Mass & Turbine Power Output
25 2.50
20 2.00
Time to Raise (sec)
Power (Watts)
Time (seconds)
15 1.50
Power Output (W)
10 1.00
5 0.50
0 0.00
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Mass (kg)
Deliverables
(what to turn in)
• TODAY:
– Carbon copies from lab notebook
• Title of module
• Team members & assigned roles
• Section number
• Today’s date
• Purpose of lab
• Brief description of procedure
• Sketch of your turbine
• Table of data & preliminary results
• Plot of Time to Raise Mass and Power Output vs. Mass
Deliverables
(what to turn in)
• NEXT WEEK:
– Work in your groups !
– Lab Report
• Use Freshman Clinic Laboratory Report Format
• Format description, example, and grading scheme
can be found on Freshman Clinic web site:
http://engineering.rowan.edu/~orlins/fc/
http://users.rcn.com/hands-on/hydro/contest.html